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Rare Spirits Showcased at Wynn Las Vegas

One of the greatest challenges for connoisseurs of limited-edition, super-premium, single-malt whiskies is being able to locate and taste them.

And by their very nature, these rarities are difficult to find.

That will not be the case on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3, 2012, at the Universal Whisky Experience, to be held at Wynn Las Vegas. Unlike other tasting events, the Universal Whisky Experience focuses only on superpremium pours, such as Macallan 50-year-old, Glenlivet 70-year-old, and Glenfarclas Family Cask 1960. Key executives, master distillers, and brand ambassadors will be in attendance.

In addition to walk-around tastings, individual Master Class seminars on Saturday will include topics such as the history of the Glenlivet—Scotland’s first “legal” distillery—with accompanying sampling of their spirits with international brand ambassador Ian Logan. Other experts in attendance will include George Grant, whose family owns Glenfarclas and who will be conducting tastings from casks dating from 1962, 1972, 1982, and from a 43-year-old Cognac cask from 1967.

In addition, on Friday from 2:30 to 4 pm there will be speed-dating-style, one-on-one meetings between attendees and various master distillers, such as Richard Paterson from Dalmore and David King, president of Anchor Distilling Co. There is also a “Golf with the Masters” tournament on Thursday for those who wish to tee off with some of the master distillers.

Because of the rarities of whiskies being poured, this event is not geared for large crowds. Rather, it is a chance for serious malt whisky aficionados to sample some extremely rare whiskies and meet the people behind the brands.

Connoisseur tickets are $525 and High Roller tickets are $1,995, the difference reflecting the number of seminars and pours involved. Robb Report readers can use Code UWECT1 to get $100 off each Connoisseur’s ticket and UWEHT2 for $200 off each High Roller ticket. In addition, non-whisky-drinking partners may purchase an accompanying premium wine and Champagne ticket for $255. (770.817.0727, (www.universalwhiskyexperience.com)